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A Laforza to be reckoned with

While commuting to the office, I snapped a shot of a rather rare and elusive specimen of SUV history. Look closely, it's a Laforza.When I think of automotive images from the '80s, I think of exotic-car calendars with lithe ladies draped over low-slung imports. I don't think of the Laforza SUV. However, the Italian-made SUV was penned by Tom Tjaarda, designer of real exotics like the Pantera and Ferrari 365 California. This bland box just wasn't exotic enough for the U.S.So what's the story? Well, it's a twisted history. The Laforza is a spin-off of a military/police vehicle manufactured in Italy by Magnum Industriale. With the help of American entrepreneurs, rolling chassis were imported to the U.S. and a Ford V-8 drivetrain replaced the original diesel layout. Company after company tried to market them here with little success. Although the interior appointments boasted fine hand-stitched Italian leather with burled-walnut accents, the overall impression wasn't favorable. It was merchandised as everything from the ultimate culmination of Italo-American ingenuity and styling to a rough-and-tumble personal security vehicle with bulletproof windshield, touting its Magnum lineage. Because of the price, from $35K for the 10-year-old '89-'90 model (yes, you could still buy a new 1989 Laforza in 1999) to $87K for the newer 300-hp supercharged 5.0L, the Laforza outclassed itself in a market rife with less expensive, capable, and much more serviceable vehicles. Today, a large SUV with a paltry 185 hp wouldn't be considered a luxury. The fate of the Laforza seemed inevitable. Due to fit, finish, and quality-control issues, combined with low buyer interest, the line finally petered out. The Laforza name may have suffered in 1999 after garnering unwanted publicity when an employee of Laforza Auto was arrested and convicted of dismembering his wife. You just can't buy that kind of P.R.Today, the Laforza SUV has a dedicated, if somewhat disjointed, following judging from the forums at laforzaland.com, a site established to aid Laforzans in the quest to keep their vehicles running. The forums seem to be the only regularly trafficked area of the site with other areas, ironically, "under construction."If you have a need for self-immolation or if you're simply a connoisseur of the unconventional, the Laforza might be your cup of poison. The most telling snippet I found about the current state of Laforzas is on eHow.com in an article entitled, "How To Buy a Laforza." They spec current Laforza prices at $6K-$15K, with this enjoiner, "If you are looking for a project car, then there are plenty of Laforzas available in this category."Which is why I grabbed a shot of this rare specimen outside of its native habitat, a garage or wrecking yard. Enjoy, and may the Laforza be with you.

additionally dosnt always mean a good thing.sometime a product is rare cause its was not dezigned for the masses, or that it was a bad product.so when people say thats a rare car (or truck for that matter) dosnt mean that it valuable.

Hey scarygary, I agree it looks like the old-school Range Rover (not so sure w/the Explorer). Let's be honest about something here: back in the day what was the likelihood of anyone being able to buy a 300-hp Laforza SUV unless you were able to get your hands on the Lamborghini LM002. Ironic in the sense that most big SUVs today have a minimum 300 hp and $35K is likely the STARTING PRICE. I guess the question one may ask is this: were the Italians ahead of their time? The answer would appear to be YES (with some conditions, maybe).

I think the guy who penned this saw the light: That it would suck, so he penned it that way on purpose so that no one would know he was forced to be a part of this vehicle. Too bad for him that MT staff catch this stuff and know what it is, and have the media to show it.

Ha, wow. I saw one of these at our local Honda dealership. I tried to convince my parents to get it because it was so rare and cool looking. Well not really "cool" but it looks like somehting out of a video game, grand theft auto maybe. They got a new pilot instead.. bummer.